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Abstract:

A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention includes a first insulation substrate; a pixel
electrode disposed on the first insulation substrate and including a
first cutout; a second insulation substrate facing the first insulation
substrate; and a common electrode disposed on the second insulation
substrate and a second cutout arranged alternately with the first cutout,
wherein at least one of the first cutout and the second cutout includes a
stem and a plurality of first slits and a plurality of second slits
extended from the stem and obliquely inclined with respect to the length
direction of the stem, and an inclined direction of the first slits is
opposite to an inclined direction of the second slits.

Claims:

1. A liquid crystal display, comprising:a first substrate;a pixel
electrode disposed on the first substrate, the pixel electrode comprising
a first cutout;a second substrate facing the first substrate; anda common
electrode disposed on the second substrate, the common electrode
comprising a second cutout arranged alternately with the first
cutout,wherein at least one of the first cutout and the second cutout
comprises a stem and a plurality of first slits and a plurality of second
slits extended from the stem and obliquely inclined with respect to a
length direction of the stem, and an inclined direction of the first
slits is opposite to an inclined direction of the second slits.

2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, whereinthe first slits are
divided into a plurality of first slit groups and the second slits are
divided into a plurality of second slit groups, andthe first slit groups
and the second slit groups are alternately disposed.

3. The liquid crystal display of claim 2, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits are respectively disposed on two facing edges of the stem,
and the arrangements of the first slits and the second slits are
symmetrical to each other on the two facing edges of the stem.

4. The liquid crystal display of claim 3, further comprisingthird slits
disposed between the first slit groups and the second slit groups, the
third slits extending in a direction perpendicular to the length
direction of the stem.

5. The liquid crystal display of claim 4, whereinthe third slits are wider
than the first slits and the second slits.

6. The liquid crystal display of claim 5, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits sandwiching the third slits are inclined in a direction away
from the third slits at ends of the first slits and the second slits.

7. The liquid crystal display of claim 6, whereinthe width of the first
slits and the second slits decreases further from the stem.

8. The liquid crystal display of claim 7, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits each comprise two long edges and one short edge, wherein the
one short edge connects the two long edges to each other, andthe two long
edges comprise a first long edge perpendicular to the stem and a second
long edge obliquely inclined to the stem.

9. The liquid crystal display of claim 3, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits are curved.

10. The liquid crystal display of claim 9, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits each comprise a lower portion connected to the stem and an
upper portion extended from the lower portion, andthe lower portion and
the upper portion form an obtuse angle.

11. The liquid crystal display of claim 2, further comprisingthird slits
disposed between the first slit groups and the second slit groups, the
third slits extending in a direction perpendicular to the length
direction of the stem.

12. The liquid crystal display of claim 11, whereinthe third slits are
wider than the first slits and the second slits.

13. The liquid crystal display of claim 12, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits close to the third slits are inclined in a direction away
from the third slits further from the stem.

14. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits are respectively disposed on two facing edges of the stem,
and the arrangement of the first slits and the second slits are
symmetrical to each other on the two facing edges of the stem.

15. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, whereinthe width of the first
slits and the second slits decreases further from the stem.

16. The liquid crystal display of claim 15, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits comprise two long edges and one short edge, wherein the one
short edge connects the two long edges to each other, andthe two long
edges comprise a first long edge perpendicular to the stem and a second
long edge obliquely inclined to the stem.

17. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits are curved.

18. The liquid crystal display of claim 17, whereinthe first slits and the
second slits each comprise a lower portion connected to the stem and an
upper portion extended from the lower portion, andthe lower portion and
the upper portion form an obtuse angle.

19. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, whereinthe width of the first
slits is the same as the interval between two immediately adjacent first
slits, andthe width of the second slits is the same as the interval
between two immediately adjacent second slits.

20. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, whereinthe width of the first
slits and the second slits is in the range of one-third to three times an
interval between the common electrode and the pixel electrode.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2009-0014985, filed on Feb. 23, 2009, which is
hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a liquid
crystal display.

[0004]2. Discussion of the Background

[0005]A liquid crystal display (LCD) is one of the most widely used flat
panel displays (FPD), and is composed of two display panels on which
field generating electrodes, such as pixel electrodes and a common
electrode, are formed with a liquid crystal layer interposed between the
two display panels. In a liquid crystal display, voltages are applied to
field generating electrodes in order to generate an electric field over
the liquid crystal layer. The electrical field determines the alignment
of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. Accordingly, the
polarization of incident light is controlled, thereby performing image
display.

[0006]The LCD also includes switching elements connected to the respective
pixel electrodes, and a plurality of signal lines, such as gate lines and
data lines, for controlling the switching elements and applying voltages
to the pixel electrodes.

[0007]Among the LCDs, a vertical alignment (VA) mode LCD, which aligns
liquid crystal (LC) molecules, such that their long axes are
perpendicular to the panels in the absence of an electric field, is
spotlighted because of its high contrast ratio and wide reference viewing
angle.

[0008]The wide viewing angle of a VA mode LCD can be realized by cutouts
in the field-generating electrodes and protrusions on the
field-generating electrodes. Since the cutouts and the protrusions can
determine the tilt directions of the LC molecules, the tilt directions
can be distributed in several directions by using the cutouts and the
protrusions such that the reference viewing angle is widened.

[0009]Here, the liquid crystal molecules disposed close to the protrusions
or the cutouts are strongly controlled, however the influence of the
protrusions or the cutouts is weak on the liquid crystal molecules
disposed away from the protrusions.

[0010]Particularly, the electric field's effect is weak on the liquid
crystal molecules disposed inside the cutout such that they are inclined
into various directions such that the liquid crystal molecules collide
with each other, and as a result, they are irregularly and unstably
arranged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide stably
arranging the liquid crystal molecule having a weak influence inside the
cutouts of electrodes.

[0012]Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the
description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0013]An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a liquid
crystal display having a first insulation substrate; a pixel electrode
disposed on the first insulation substrate; the pixel electrode
comprising a first cutout; a second insulation substrate facing the first
insulation substrate; a common electrode disposed on the second
insulation substrate; and the common electrode comprising a second cutout
arranged alternatively with the first cutout, wherein at least one of the
first cutout and the second cutout comprises a stem and a plurality of
first slits and a plurality of second slits extended from the stem and
obliquely inclined with respect to the length direction of the stem, and
an inclined direction of the first slits is opposite to an inclined
direction of the second slits.

[0014]It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and
are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and
together with the description serve to explain the principles of the
invention.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a view showing cutouts of a common electrode and a pixel
electrode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a photograph for measuring light leakage according to time
in a liquid crystal display including minute slits according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 are views showing a portion of
cutouts according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a liquid
crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a layout view of a liquid crystal display according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0022]The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are
shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms
and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is
thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those
skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of
layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference
numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

[0023]It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to
as being "on" or "connected to" another element or layer, it can be
directly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, or
intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to"
another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers
present.

[0024]FIG. 1 is a view showing cutouts of a common electrode and a pixel
electrode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 are views showing a portion of
cutouts according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.

[0025]Referring to FIG. 1, a common electrode 270 and a pixel electrode
191 of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention includes a plurality of cutouts 71, 72a, 72b, 91,
92a, and 92b.

[0026]The pixel electrode 191 is quadrangular having four main edges, and
left chamfered corners. The chamfered oblique edge of the pixel electrode
191 forms an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the major edges.

[0027]The pixel electrode 191 has a central cutout 91, a lower cutout 92a,
and an upper cutout 92b, and the pixel electrode 191 is divided into a
plurality of regions by the central cutout 91, the lower cutout 92a, and
the upper cutout 92b. The central cutout 91, the lower cutout 92a, and
the upper cutout 92b have inversion symmetry with respect to an imaginary
transverse line bisecting the pixel electrodes 191 in the transverse
direction.

[0028]The lower cutout 92a and the upper cutout 92b are approximately
obliquely inclined from the right edge of the pixel electrode 191 to the
left edge, and are respectively disposed on the lower-half portion and
the upper-half portion with respect to the transverse central line of the
pixel electrode 191. The lower cutout 92a and the upper cutout 92b are
inclined with respect to the transverse central line of the pixel
electrode 191 by an angle of about 45° and extend perpendicularly
to each other.

[0029]The central cutout 91 extends along the transverse central line of
the pixel electrode 191 and has an inlet from the right edge of the pixel
electrode 191. The inlet of the central cutout 91 has a pair of inclined
edges substantially parallel to the oblique portions of the lower cutout
92a and the upper cutout 92b.

[0030]Accordingly, the lower half of the pixel electrode 191 is
partitioned into two lower partitions by the lower cutout 92a and the
upper half of the pixel electrode 191 is partitioned into two upper
partitions by the upper cutout 92b. The number of partitions and the
number of cutouts can be varied depending on design factors such as the
size of pixels, the ratio of the transverse edges and the longitudinal
edges of the pixel electrodes, the type and characteristics of the liquid
crystal layer 3, and so on.

[0031]Also, the cutouts 71, 72a, and 72b of the common electrode 270 face
the pixel electrode 191, and include a central cutout 71, a lower cutout
72a, and an upper cutout 72b. Each of the central cutout 71, the lower
cutout 72a, and the upper cutout 72b is disposed between adjacent central
cutout 91, lower cutout 92a, and upper cutout 92b of the pixel electrode
191 or between the lower cutout 92a and the upper cutout 92b and the
chamfered edges of the pixel electrode 191. In addition, each of the
central cutout 71, the lower cutout 72 a, and the upper cutout 72b has at
least one oblique portion extending parallel to the lower cutout 92a or
the upper cutout 92b.

[0032]Each oblique portion includes a stem P and minute slits S1 and S2.
The minute slit extends from an edge of the stem P, and includes a
plurality of first slits S1 and second slits S2 obliquely inclined with
respect to the length direction of the stem. The first slits S1 and the
second slits S2 form an angle θ of 10-90° with respect to
the oblique portion. The inclined direction of the first slits S1 and the
inclined direction of the second slits S2 are opposite to each other.

[0033]The first slits S1 and the second slits S2 are respectively disposed
on two facing edges of the stem P, and the first slits S1 and the second
slits S2 are symmetrical to each other on two edges of the stem P.

[0034]The width W0 of each first slit S1 is equal to the interval S
between two neighboring first slits S1, and the width W0 of each
second slit S2 is equal to the interval S between two neighboring second
slits S2.

[0035]When the interval of the liquid crystal layer between the common
electrode 270 and the pixel electrode 191 is referred to as a cell gap d,
the width W0 of the first slit S1 may be in the range of d/3 to 3d,
and the interval S between the neighboring first slits S1 may be in the
range of d/3 to 3d. Here, the width I of the stem P of the central cutout
71, the lower cutout 72a, and the upper cutout 72b may be in the range of
d<I<3d.

[0036]When a set including a predetermined number of the first slits S1
and a set including a predetermined number of the second slits S2 are
respectively referred to as the first slit group G1 and the second slit
group G2, the first slit group G1 and the second slit group G2 are
alternately disposed along the stem P.

[0038]In the liquid crystal display including the common electrode 270 and
the pixel electrode 191 according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the common electrode 270 is applied with a common
voltage and the pixel electrode 191 is applied with a data voltage such
that an electric field is generated perpendicular to the surface of the
substrate formed with the common electrode 270 or the pixel electrode
191. The liquid crystal molecules (not shown) (hereafter, the pixel
electrode 191 and the common electrode 270 are referred to as field
generating electrodes) between the field generating electrodes 191 and
270 are arranged in response to the electric field such that the long
axes thereof tend to be perpendicular to the electric field direction.

[0039]The central cutouts 71 and 91, the lower cutouts 72a and 92a, and
the upper cutouts 72b and 92b of the field generating electrodes 191 and
270 and the edges of the pixel electrodes 191 distort the electric field
to generate a horizontal component, which determines the tilt directions
of the liquid crystal molecules. The horizontal component of the electric
field is substantially perpendicular to the edges of the central cutouts
71 and 91, the lower cutouts 72a and 92a, the upper cutouts 72b and 92b,
and the pixel electrodes 191.

[0040]Also, the liquid crystal molecules disposed inside the central
cutout 71, the lower cutout 72a, and the upper cutout 72b start to
incline at the arbitrary position and are continuously inclined like
dominos in the same direction. Here, the liquid crystal molecules are
inclined in various directions at various positions and the liquid
crystal molecules that are inclined in the opposite directions collide at
the arbitrary positions.

[0041]According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when
the first slit S1 and the second slit S2 are formed, the position that
starts to incline may be determined.

[0042]Among the portion where the first slit S1 and the second slit S2 are
neighboring each other, the liquid crystal molecules start to spread out
on the portion where the first slits S1 and the second slits S2 are
closer to each other as the first slits S1 and the second slits S2 are
further from the stem P, and start to gather on the portion where the
first slits S1 and the second slits S2 are away from each other as the
first slits S1 and the second slits S2 are further from the stem P.
Hereafter, the portion where the liquid crystal molecules start to spread
out is referred to as an emission region A, and the portion where the
liquid crystal molecules are gathered is referred to as a converging
region B.

[0043]Like an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first
slit group G1 and the second slit group G2 including a plurality of slits
S1 and S2 disposed to have the uniform intervals such that the emission
region A and the converging region B may be generated at uniform
intervals.

[0044]In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one emission
region A is formed, however a plurality of emission regions A may be
formed according the size of the pixel electrode, and the number and the
size of the cutouts.

[0045]Also, if the emission region A and the converging region B are
formed, the inclination direction of the liquid crystal molecules may be
quickly determined such that the response speed of the liquid crystal may
be improved.

[0046]In the above described exemplary embodiment, the minute slits are
formed at the cutout of the common electrode, however the minute slits
may be formed at the cutout of the pixel electrode. When the minute slits
are formed at the cutout of the pixel electrode, the converging region
and the emission region are opposite to those of the common electrode.

[0047]FIG. 2 is a photograph for measuring light leakage according to time
in a liquid crystal display including minute slits according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0048]Referring to FIG. 2, when a voltage is applied to change a black
state into a white state, the liquid crystal molecules in the domain are
maintained as the black state at an initial time of 4 ms when the voltage
is applied, however light leakage is generated in the portion where the
minute slits are formed. However, the liquid crystal molecules in the
domain are arranged in the white state according to the passage of time,
and are changed to the white state except for the liquid crystal
molecules that are disposed on the center of the cutouts. Also, the
arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules that are disposed inside the
cutouts become stable at a time of 100 ms such that it may be confirmed
that singular points are formed with the uniform interval. The singular
points are formed on the converging region B of the minute slits.

[0049]The minute slits may be formed with various shapes, as shown in FIG.
3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6.

[0050]FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 are views showing minute slits
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0051]As shown in FIG. 3, the converging region B may include a third slit
S3 protruded from the stem P in the vertical direction between the first
slit group G1 and the second slit group G2. That is, the first slit S1
and the second slit S2 that are close to the third slit S3 are inclined
in the direction away from the third slit S3 further from the stem. In
other words, the first slit S1 and the second slit S2 are sandwiching the
third slit S3 and are inclined in a direction away from the third slit S3
at ends of the first slit S1 and the second slit S2.

[0052]The third slit S3 is for easily gathering the liquid crystal
molecules, and the width W1 of the third slit S3 may be larger than the
width W2 of the first slit S1 and the second slit S2.

[0053]In additional, as shown in FIG. 4, the width of the first slit S1
and the second slit S2 may be decreased further from the stem P. Here,
among two long edges t1 and one short edge t2 connecting the two long
edges t1 thereby forming the slits, the two long edges t1 may be
obliquely inclined with respect to the stem, as shown in FIG. 3, however
only one of two long edges t1 may be obliquely inclined with respect to
the stem, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0054]As described above, the width of the portion adjacent to the stem is
widened to ease the movement of the liquid crystal molecules.

[0055]Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the third slit S3 extending vertically
from the stem may be formed in the emission region A and the converging
region B. Here, the third slit S3 of the converging region B may be wider
than the third slit S3 of the emission region A.

[0056]Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the first slit S1 and the second slit S2
may include at least one curved portion. That is, the first slit S1 and
the second slit S2 include a lower portion connected to the stem P and an
upper portion extended from the lower portion, and the lower portion and
the upper portion form an obtuse angle.

[0058]Next, a liquid crystal display including the above-described minute
slit pattern will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7, FIG.
8, and FIG. 9.

[0059]FIG. 7 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one pixel of a liquid
crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.

[0060]Referring to FIG. 7, a liquid crystal display according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes signal lines,
including a plurality of gate lines GL, a plurality of pairs of data
lines DLa and DLb, a plurality of storage electrode lines SL, and a
plurality of pixels PX connected to the signal lines. In the point of
view of a structure, the liquid crystal display includes a lower panel
100 and an upper panel 200 facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer
3 interposed therebetween.

[0061]Each pixel PX includes a pair of subpixels PXa and PXb. Each
subpixel PXa and PXb includes a switching element Qa and Qb, a liquid
crystal capacitor Clca and Clcb, and a storage capacitor Csta and Cstb.

[0062]Each switching element Qa and Qb is a three-terminal element such as
a thin film transistor provided on the lower panel 100, having a control
terminal connected to the gate line GL, an input terminal connected to
the data line DLa and DLb, and an output terminal connected to the liquid
crystal capacitor Clca and Clcb and the storage capacitor Csta and Cstb.

[0063]The liquid crystal capacitor Clca and Clcb uses a subpixel electrode
and a common electrode 270 as two terminals. The liquid crystal layer 3
between electrodes 191a and 191b and 270 functions as a dielectric
material.

[0064]The storage capacitor Csta and Cstb serving as an assistant to the
liquid crystal capacitor Clca and Clcb is formed as a storage electrode
line SL provided on the lower display panel 100 and a subpixel electrode
191a and 191b overlap with an insulator interposed therebetween, and a
predetermined voltage such as a common voltage is applied thereto.

[0065]It has been determined that a predetermined difference is generated
between voltages charged to two liquid crystal capacitors Clca and Clcb.
For example, the data voltage applied to the liquid crystal capacitor
Clca is less or more than the data voltage applied to the liquid crystal
capacitor Clcb. Therefore, when the voltages of the first and second
liquid crystal capacitors Clca and Clcb are appropriately adjusted, it is
possible to make an image viewed from the side be as similar as possible
to an image viewed from the front, and as a result it is possible to
improve the side visibility.

[0066]Next, one example of the liquid crystal panel assembly shown in FIG.
7 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

[0067]FIG. 8 is a layout view of a liquid crystal display according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a
cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX shown in FIG. 8.

[0068]Firstly, a lower panel will be described.

[0069]As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a plurality of gate conductors
including a plurality of gate lines 121 and a plurality of storage
electrode lines 131 are formed on an insulation substrate 110 made of
transparent glass or plastic.

[0070]The gate lines 121 transmit gate signals and extend substantially in
a transverse direction. Each gate line 121 includes a plurality of a
first gate electrode 124a and a second gate electrode 124b protruding
upward, and an end may be extended for connecting with another layer or
external driving circuits.

[0071]The storage electrode lines 131 extend substantially in the
transverse direction and receive a predetermined voltage. Each storage
electrode line 131 is disposed between two neighboring gate lines 121,
and maintains the same distance from the two gate lines 121. The storage
electrode line 131 includes an expansion 133 expanded upward and downward
and a branch 137 extending perpendicular from the storage electrode line
131.

[0072]A gate insulating layer 140 preferably made of silicon nitride
(SiNx) or silicon dioxide (SiOx) is formed on the gate lines 121 and the
storage electrode lines 131.

[0073]A plurality of a first and a second semiconductor island 154b are
preferably made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon or crystallized
silicon, and are formed on the gate insulating layer 140. A semiconductor
island 154a is respectively disposed on the first gate electrodes 124a
and a semiconductor island 154b a respectively disposed on the second
gate electrode 124b.

[0074]A pair of ohmic contact islands 163a, 163b, 165a, and 165 is formed
on each semiconductor island 154a and 154b. The ohmic contact islands
163a, 163b, 165a, and 165b are preferably made of n+ hydrogenated a--Si
heavily doped with an N-type impurity such as phosphorous, or they may be
made of a silicide. The ohmic contacts pairs 163a and 165a are
respectively disposed on the first semiconductor island 154a and the
ohmic contact pairs 163b and 165b are respectively disposed on the second
semiconductor island 154b.

[0075]A data conductor including a plurality of data lines 171a and 171b
and a plurality of pairs of first and second drain electrodes 173a and
173b are formed on the gate insulating layer 140 and the ohmic contacts
163a, 163b, 163a, and 165b.

[0076]The data lines 171a and 171b transmit data voltages and extend in a
longitudinal direction, thereby intersecting the gate lines 121 and the
storage electrode lines 131. Each of the data lines 171a and 171b
respectively includes a plurality of first source electrodes and second
source electrodes 173a and 173b extending toward the first gate
electrodes and the second gate electrodes 124a and 124b, and an end of
data lines 171a and 171b may be extended for connecting with another
layer or an external driving circuit.

[0077]The first drain electrode 175a and the second drain electrode 175b
are separated from each other, and are separated from the data lines 171a
and 171b. Each of drain electrodes 175a and 175b faces the first source
electrode 173a and the second source electrode 173b with respect to the
gate electrodes 124a and 124b, and includes an expansion having a wide
area. One end of the drain electrodes 175a and 175b is enclosed by the
source electrodes 173a and 173b with a "U" shape.

[0078]A first gate electrode 124a and a second gate electrode 124b, a
first source electrode 173a and a second source electrode 173b, and a
first drain electrode 175a and a second drain electrode 175b respectively
form a first and second thin film transistor (TFT) Qa and Qb along with a
first semiconductor island 154a and a second semiconductor island 154b,
and a channel of the first thin film transistor Qa and second thin film
transistor Qb is formed on the first semiconductor island 154a and second
semiconductor island 154b between the first source electrode 173a and the
second source electrode 173b and the first drain electrode 175a and the
second drain electrode 175b.

[0079]The ohmic contacts 163a, 163b, 165a, and 165b are interposed only
between the underlying semiconductor islands 154a and 154b and the
overlying data lines 171a and 171b and drain electrodes 175a and 175b,
and reduce contact resistance between them. The semiconductor islands
154a and 154b have a portion that is exposed without being covered by the
data lines 171a and 171b and the drain electrodes 175a and 175b, and a
portion between the source electrodes 173a and 173b and the drain
electrodes 175a and 175b.

[0080]A lower passivation layer 180p to protect the exposed semiconductor
islands 154a and 154b is formed on the data lines 171a and 171b, the
drain electrodes 175a and 175b, and the exposed portions of the
semiconductor islands 154a and 154b. The passivation layer 180p is made
of silicon nitride.

[0081]Color filters 230 are formed on the lower passivation layer 180p.
The color filters 230 have a plurality of openings 233, 235a, and 235b
and may be extended according to the data lines 171a and 171b. Each of
color filters 230 may display one of primary colors such as the three
primary colors of red, green, and blue.

[0082]The plurality of openings 233, 235a, and 235b are disposed on the
expansions of the drain electrodes 175a and 175b and the expansions 133
of the storage electrode lines 131. It may be easy to form contact holes
185a and 185b through the openings 233a and 233b on the drain electrodes
175a and 175b, and the opening 233 of the storage electrode 133 reduce
the thickness of the dielectric material forming the storage capacitance
such that the storage capacitance may be increased.

[0083]A passivation layer 180q made of silicon nitride for preventing the
pigment included in the color filter 230 from contaminating upper layers
is formed on the color filters 230.

[0084]The upper passivation layer 180q, the color filter 230, and the
lower passivation layer 180p have the contact holes 185a and 185b
respectively exposing the first drain electrode 175a and the second drain
electrode 175b.

[0085]A plurality of pixel electrodes 191 including the first sub-pixel
electrode 191a and the second sub-pixel electrode 191b are formed on the
upper passivation layer 180q. The pixel electrodes 191 may be made of a
transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium
zinc oxide (IZO).

[0086]Each of the pixel electrodes 191 has an approximately quadrangle
shape having four chamfered corners, and the chamfered edges of the pixel
electrode 191 form an angle of about 45 degrees with the gate lines 121a
and 121b.

[0087]A pair of the first sub-pixel electrode 191a and the second
sub-pixel electrode 191b forming each of the pixel electrodes 191 are
engaged with each other with a gap 95 therebetween. The first sub-pixel
electrode 191a has an isosceles trapezoid shape having bottom edges
almost parallel to the data line 171 and the bottom edge thereof being
sunken with a trapezoid shape, and most of the first sub-pixel electrode
191a is enclosed by the second sub-pixel electrode 191b. The second
sub-pixel electrode 191b includes upper, lower, and central trapezoid
portions of which the left edges are connected to each other.

[0088]The second sub-pixel electrode 191b includes the lower cutout 92a
and the upper cutout 92b that extends from the upper edge of the upper
trapezoid portion and the lower edge of the lower trapezoid portion
toward the right edge. The central trapezoid portion of the second
sub-pixel electrode 191b is inserted in the bottom sunken edge of the
first sub-pixel electrode 191a.

[0089]The gap 95 between the first sub-pixel electrode 191a and the second
sub-pixel electrode 191b includes two pairs of upper oblique portions and
lower oblique portions forming an angle of about 45 degrees with the
first and the second gate lines 121a and 121b, and a longitudinal
portion.

[0090]Hereafter, for better comprehension and ease of description, the gap
95 is also described as a cutout. The lower cutout 92a, the upper cutout
92b, and the gap 95 have substantially an inverse symmetrical structure
with respect to the storage electrode line 131, and they form an angle of
about 45 degrees with respect to the first and second gate lines 121a and
121b and extend perpendicularly to each other. The pixel electrode 191 is
divided into a plurality of regions by the lower cutout 92a, the upper
cutout 92b, and the gap 95.

[0091]Accordingly, the upper-half portion and the lower-half portion are
respectively divided into a plurality of regions by the lower cutout 92a,
the upper cutout 92b, and the gap 95 with respect to the storage
electrode line 131 bisecting the pixel electrode 191 upward and downward.

[0092]Here, the number of regions or cutouts may vary depending on design
components, such as the size of the pixel electrode 191, the length ratio
of the horizontal side and the vertical side of the pixel electrode 191,
the type of liquid crystal layer 3, or other characteristics.

[0093]The first sub-pixel electrode 191a is respectively connected to the
first drain electrode 175a through the contact hole 185a and receives
data voltage from the first drain electrode 175a. Similarly, the second
sub-pixel electrode 191b is respectively connected to the second drain
electrode 175b through the contact hole 185b, and receives data voltage
from the second drain electrode 175b. A pair of sub-pixel electrodes 191a
and 191b are applied with different predetermined data voltages with
respect to one input image signal, and the magnitude thereof may be
determined according to the size and shape of the sub-pixel electrodes
191a and 191b. Also, the areas of the sub-pixel electrodes 191a and 191b
may be different from each other. For example, the first sub-pixel
electrode 191a may be applied with a high voltage compared with the
second sub-pixel electrode 191b, and the area thereof may be smaller than
the area of the second sub-pixel electrode 191b.

[0094]The sub-pixel electrodes 191a and 191b applied with the data voltage
and the common electrode 270 applied with the common voltage respectively
form the first liquid crystal capacitor and the second liquid crystal
capacitor such that the applied voltage is maintained after the thin film
transistor is turned off. Each of the liquid crystal capacitors include
the liquid crystal layer 3 as the dielectric material.

[0095]Next, the common electrode panel 200 will be described.

[0096]A light blocking member 220 for preventing light leakage is formed
on an insulation substrate 210 made of transparent glass or plastic. The
light blocking member 220 is formed according to the data lines 171a and
171b, and includes expansions overlapping the semiconductor islands 154a
and 154b.

[0097]A common electrode 270 is formed on the light blocking member 220.
The common electrode 270 is made of a transparent conductor such as ITO
or IZO.

[0099]The cutouts 71, 72a, 72b, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b include a central
cutout 71, first to third upper oblique cutouts 72a, 73a, and 74a, and
first to third lower oblique cutouts 72b, 73b, and 74b. The cutouts 71,
72a, 72b, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b are disposed between the neighboring
cutouts 92a, 92b, and 95 of the pixel electrode 191, or between the
cutouts 92a, 92b, and 95 and the chamfered edges of the pixel electrode
191. Also, each of the cutouts 71, 72a, 72b, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b
includes at least one oblique portion parallel to the upper and lower
cutouts 92b or 92a of the pixel electrode 191.

[0100]The first to third oblique cutouts 72a, 72b, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b
include a center portion, and an end transverse portion or an end
longitudinal portion connected to the center portion and overlapping
according to the edges of the pixel electrode 191. The end transverse
portion or the end longitudinal portion forms the obtuse angle with the
center portion.

[0101]The center cutout 71 includes a center transverse portion and a pair
of oblique portions. The center transverse portion almost extends in the
left side from the right edge of the pixel electrode 191 according to the
storage electrode line 131, and a pair of oblique portions extend from
the end of the center transverse portion toward the left edge of the
pixel electrode 191 and are respectively almost parallel to the oblique
cutouts 72a, 72b, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b. Also, the end of the center
cutout 71 includes an end longitudinal portion extending according to the
edge of the pixel electrode 191 while overlapping. The end longitudinal
portion forms the obtuse angle by the oblique portion.

[0103]That is, the first slit group G1 and the second slit group G2
including a plurality of the first slits S1 and the second slits S2 are
alternately disposed on two edges of the stem. Accordingly, the emission
region A and the converging region B are alternately formed.

[0104]The minute slits S1 and S2 may be one of the exemplary embodiments
of FIG. 3, FIG. 4. FIG. 5, and FIG. 6.

[0105]The minute slits determine the arrangement direction of the liquid
crystal molecules 31 that are disposed on the boundary of the region
corresponding to the cutouts 71, 72a, 72b, 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b, and
thereby the liquid crystal molecules are stably arranged.

[0106]The number and direction of the cutouts 71, 72a, 72b, 73a, 73b, 74a,
and 74b may be changed according to the design elements.

[0107]Alignment layers 11 and 21 are formed on the inner surface of the
display panels 100 and 200, and may be vertical alignment layers.

[0108]It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended
that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this
invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.